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It's been a tough year for the North Carolina women's basketball program, and according to reports, it's gotten worse. Hall of Fame coach Sylvia Hatchell has been suspended for two games, one by her university and one by the NCAA.
The reason North Carolina is suspending her is because during their rivalry game against Duke, Hatchell confronted a referee, making contact with him. And the NCAA is suspending her for recruiting violations.
Here is what Hatchell had to say as part of the report from the News&Observer:
“I place a high value on sportsmanship for myself, my team and the University,” Hatchell said. “My actions at Duke were out of character and do not reflect the deep respect for our sport and its officials. And we unintentionally broke a rule during a recruiting visit, a mistake we will not make again.”
But as you read the report further, it quotes the student newspaper, the Daily Tar Heel, that it was "worth it" ... really?
North Carolina AD Bubba Cunningham had this to say in a statement:
“We have tremendous respect for coach Hatchell, but it’s important that we hold ourselves accountable for issues involving sportsmanship and compliance, even when mistakes are made inadvertently."
An already depleted team, that is struggling, will be without their leader for the next two games.